Matzo fueled quartet of Three Daves and a Bob heads up the southeast aspect of Castle Peak for some fine spring corn snow skiing. We all met early at the Donner Pass Rest area off Rout 80 ( 7.280 feet) on the Westbound side, and followed the ridge line up to near the summit where the steep rocks stopped us.
The views down into the Euer Valley to the east and the Sierra crest to the south were a fine reward. The weather held off and we peeled off two great runs before the snow softened and we glided back on a perfect trajectory and slid all the way to the cars finishing around lunchtime.
The Squaw patrol crew gearing up at the rest area - temps already in the high 30's at 8:30am. Dave, Bob, and Dave
Climbing starts within a few minutes of leaving the car. A firm surface and open terrain make the going smooth and fast. Route finding was a breeze.
You can see snow is thin on the true south aspect, but where we are going, coverage is fine.
Devil's Peak to the southwest as Bob skins steadily upwards.
Bob and Dave discussing higher math concepts... you know you are hiking at the right pace if you can carry on a conversation while climbing....alright- they were not discussing math...
Dave approaching the shoulder (8,800 feet) for a well deserved water and snack break. Tinker's Knob and Mt. Anderson in the distance. Second run we launched from the rounded knob right behind Dave in this picture.
Dave is saying... I guess this is the top... I ran out of snow. (8,731 feet) the precipitous eastern face of Castle Peak looms ahead, with a nice steep slope to our right. A crew earlier had used a snow machine to do laps up to the top here coming in from Negro Canyon. Luckily, they went down a different way than we did, so we had no need to look out for there tracks. Basin Peak in the distance beyond Castle Peak. From here there are ski routes down on almost every aspect.
Transition and a snack before skiing down....
"Turbo" Dave sweeping big GS turns on a thin layer of corn...
Bob heading back up for another lap. Our second run came down off the shoulder in this photo, traversing around to the big rock on the looker's left. and down that ridge back to the highway far below.
Dave, readying for the 2nd lap down off the shoulder. What a view out across the Martis Valley all the way to Mt. Rose. Still thinking about that chicken liver from last week.....
Putting the skins away - whose grandmother makes the best......what was that - chicken wontons?
Hold me back...can I go now? huh? huh? Put that camera away and lets S K I !!
"Turbo" swoops in on the next drop...
Let's see, another lap or a milk shake in Truckee.....guess we'll head for the car. That's Castle Peak behind us.
